Rosemary Chapman points to sock blockers
made by her husband and the knitted socks that she made
at her home in Lake Bracken.

A retired couple, Rosemary and John Chapman of Lake Bracken,
have started a Web business, Chappys Fiber Arts and Crafts, where they sell the knitting patterns Rosemary designs and the unique wooden sock blockers John makes.

Rosemary, a registered nurse for 26 years, and John,
who retired four years ago from teaching driver's ed and coaching wrestling and girls golf at Galesburg High School, have operated their store on eBay for about two years.

The couple didn't really intend for this joint venture, this second career to happen, Rosemary said. Suddenly, they feel as if they'd never retired. And yet, through Chappys Fiber Arts and Crafts, they have sold their products to customers in all 50 states and 81 countries.

Rosemary, who has a natural inclination toward handcrafts, is a relative newcomer to knitting. "I started knitting four years ago in November and I haven't quit. I knit 24/7," Rosemary said.

Likewise, after retiring, John took up woodworking and he now puts in long hours in his shop, too. He makes the sock-shaped sock blockers using a table saw, a scroll saw, a band saw, a planer, a belt sander and a spindle sander. The sock blockers can be hung to display handmade socks on walls. Each sock blocker is made with a unique and delicately detailed cut-out design, like a basset hound, sheep, dragonflies, lightning bolts, a largemouth bass and one named
Smokey Joe, for the couple's 22-pound cat.

John recently devised a new sock blocking pattern requested by knitting author and designer Cat Bordhi, who gives lectures and workshops on knitting. The new pattern is called a shelf sitter sock blocker because it is made of two parts so it sits upright.

The sock patterns Rosemary designs also are big sellers.
She has made a Harry Potter sock using the colors that represent the four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Also, a breast cancer sock, a motorcycle sock and many others, including socks for babies and children.

She has a new pattern she will debut at the end of June called Irish Pearls which features pearl-like beads knitted in the sock. On their site, she also sells supplies for knitting, crochet and cross stitch such as needles, hooks and her unusual knitting markers -
that help the knitter keep his or her place in the work -
made of glass beads and pewter charms.

Rosemary loves all types of knitting, but socks are about her favorite project. She also makes purses and shawls. "I cannot imagine not knitting," she said. "Socks are not hard; more people knit socks than you would believe," she said.

Rosemary plans to begin an informal knitting and crocheting
group that will meet at Jo-Ann Fabrics And Crafts.
For more information about the knitting/crocheting group,
call her at 309-343-5323.

Visit the Chapmans' online store at
http://stores.ebay.com/CHAPPYS-FIBER-ARTS-AND-CRAFTS